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Newbery Medal and Honor Books

Each January, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, awards the Newbery Medal to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The author must be a citizen or resident of the United States, and the book can be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry published in English by a U.S. publisher during the preceding year. Newbery Honor awards are given to authors of other distinguished children's books that came out that year. Check out our list of recent Newbery-winning books, with the 2022 winners listed first. And be sure to check out our list of Caldecott Medal and Honor Books.

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Freewater Poster Image
BOOK

Freewater

age 9+

Siblings escape slavery, find a home in awe-inspiring tale.

By: Amina Luqman-Dawson (2022)
A windblown girl stands at a ships railing clutching a scroll and a spyglass.
BOOK

The Last Mapmaker

age 9+

Exciting seafaring fantasy adventure for brave tween.

Maizy Chen's Last Chance Poster Image
BOOK

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

age 9+

Heartfelt novel tackles identity, racism, and immigration.

By: Lisa Yee (2022)
The Last Cuentista Poster Image
BOOK

The Last Cuentista

age 10+

Girl preserves history on new planet in fresh sci-fi twist.

By: Donna Barba Higuera (2021)
Red, White, and Whole Poster Image
BOOK

Red, White, and Whole

age 9+

Emotional novel in verse follows 1983 Indian American teen.

By: Rajani LaRocca (2021)
Too Bright to See Poster Image
BOOK

Too Bright to See

age 10+

Gender identity and death lovingly explored in spooky story.

By: Kyle Lukoff (2021)
A Snake Falls to Earth Poster Image
BOOK

A Snake Falls to Earth

age 12+

Myth, magic, science in imaginative, lively eco-tale.

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team Poster Image
BOOK

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

age 8+

Compelling, exciting, educational story of 2018 cave rescue.

When You Trap a Tiger Poster Image
BOOK

When You Trap a Tiger

age 8+

Superb family tale of loss has mystery, folklore, sadness.

By: Tae Keller (2020)
A Wish in the Dark Poster Image
BOOK

A Wish in the Dark

age 8+

Dazzling, Thai-inspired riff on Les Mis has big heart.

We Dream of Space Poster Image
BOOK

We Dream of Space

age 9+

Captivating tale of family, friendship, Challenger tragedy.

By: Erin Entrada Kelly (2020)
Fighting Words Poster Image
BOOK

Fighting Words

age 11+

Powerful, moving story of 10-year-old recovering from abuse.

New Kid, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

New Kid, Book 1

age 8+

Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.

By: Jerry Craft (2019)
The Undefeated Poster Image
BOOK

The Undefeated

age 6+

Poetic tribute to African American heroes and struggles.

By: Kwame Alexander (2019)
Other Words for Home Poster Image
BOOK

Other Words for Home

age 10+

Hopeful, relatable story of Syrian refugee in middle school.

By: Jasmine Warga (2019)
Scary Stories for Young Foxes Poster Image
BOOK

Scary Stories for Young Foxes

age 10+

Intense, violent horror adventure is riveting and haunting.

Genesis Begins Again Poster Image
BOOK

Genesis Begins Again

age 11+

Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits.

By: Alicia D. Williams (2019)
Merci Suárez Changes Gears: Merci Suárez, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Merci Suárez Changes Gears: Merci Suárez, Book 1

age 9+

Upbeat coming-of-age story explores culture, class, aging.

By: Meg Medina (2018)
The Book of Boy Poster Image
BOOK

The Book of Boy

age 10+

Boy seeks relics in fun, mystical Middle Ages fantasy.

The Night Diary Poster Image
BOOK

The Night Diary

age 10+

India-Pakistan religious conflict drives moving family tale.

By: Veera Hiranandani (2018)